Street Signs

Chapter 23

BRIELLE

It was ghost-quiet except for the ripple of the sea. From fine-combed waves to the blue-white lace of the shore, the waves brought beauty to the beach that etched in every heart that sees. Through the light up high, it came in as the dancing hem of a long and flowing gown.

The wind had become the orchestral conductor of the sea, sending waves into their crescendos' all through the ballad that was the night. All about us was the perfume of the salty water and the fine spray that came as boldly as any viola flurry. It was as if life herself had entered the water and the energy was so great that this great pulse came upward to form a steady rhythm.

I was drinking the soup while falling in love with the beauty of the sea. It was calming that I almost forgot that I was facing a problem. Also through the heat of the bonfire in front of me, not just my body was being warmed but also my heart. When was the last time I met this kind of serenity?

"How are you feeling now?" Prince Valor asked as he was also drinking soup.

The cold wind that came from the trees touched my skin, delaying me from speaking because I barely had a bleak moment. "I'm doing fine," I told him after some time, "but I know this won't last long."

"Just feel it. At least somehow, you were calmed."

After touring me in the kitchen and his room, Prince Valor invited me to make a soup that we could drink together. He told me that it would help relax my mind and body, and it really did help.

The room in the cave wherein the prince was staying whenever he would go there, was actually nice. It wasn't that broad and not too small as well, just enough for him to fit himself and his things. Inside was a solo bed and a table near the window wherein the blue see could be seen.

"Who made your kitchen and room?" I asked him without looking at him.

"It's me all alone," the prince answered. "I worked for it for almost months, and that was kinda hard for me, but all worthy at the end."

"That's amazing! Months are actually fast for you to finish the room and the kitchen. And how did you bring all the things here?"

"I brought the materials here one by one except for the bed, tables, and chairs. I made those here because I can't carry them with me when I escape," he chuckled. "I used the woods in the forest for me to be able to build them."

"Incredible..." I whispered. "You are not just a prince, huh? You can also be called a carpenter. You did well in building everything that's here. It's actually my first time to hear from a prince this kind of life."

"What do you think of a prince?"

"Well, at first, I thought when you are a prince or a princess, you have nothing to ask for more because you already have everything for you to be happy enough to live."

"Some royalties could be like that, but not all," he said. "There are princes and princesses that can still live a happy life despite their responsibilities in the palace because their kings and queens respect their time and happiness."

I turned my gaze at him. "You as a prince and part of the royal blood, what do you want?"

"I just want the freedom to choose and to do the things I want to do. Just that. I'm so sick of being controlled by my mom and dad."

"Have you already talked to them about it? I mean, about what you really feel about them?"

Prince Valor shook his head. "I am a man and a man doesn't share his hurt with anyone else."

"But you are still a human and your feeling is valid."

"I know, but it would be a big embarrassment crying to them. In the palace, they knew me as a strong one, but they don't see my weaknesses. Maybe they just see me as a robot," he forced a laugh.

I was just looking at Prince Valor while he continued speaking about his rants and complaints to the palace. I could see the pain in his eyes though there was a smile on his lip. I knew he was just faking it to hide his real emotion; but in me, even so, he veil it I would see it.

Since I was a child, I was blinded by the stories and movies that showed royal blood families only had happiness because of the things they had, but they never showed the aspect of their mental health. Now I understood that no matter how many expensive things you had, they would never define your real happiness.

After the prince told everything he wanted to say, there was silence between us. He might be waiting for my response, but I could not say anything since I didn't know how to comfort him. He was different from me in all many aspects, and what would I say might affect him, so I was being careful of every word that was coming out of my mouth.

I sipped a little amount of soup and tried to break the silence. "U-uh..." I stuttered. "About the punishment, your mom was talking about, what could it be? And why she was so mad at me as if I had ruined her life?"

The prince gasped. "It's because of the moment you fly and used your invisible wings."

"Invisible wings?" I puckered my eyebrow. "What do you mean by that? You know I was also shocked when I saw myself flying. I thought I'm going to die."

"I'm also wondering why you have those invisible wings. If you are a human, you shouldn't be having those. It's exclusively for Nokunis."

I turned my gaze at him and gave him a pucker in the eyebrow. "Really, what kind of creatures are you? Are you not humans?"

Since the very first step I made in this place, I had so many thoughts. And when I saw Prince Valor, I had this strange feeling that I could not explain. But now that I was getting to know this land and its people, my vision was also getting clearer.

For some time, there was silence, but in the prince's eyes was the presence of many unspoken words. He was just looking at me as if there was something that was hindering him from answering my question.

"And that invisible wing," I added when he didn't speak, "what is that? Why did it make me fly when I was almost to die? It saved me. And for the reason that I don't know, it exists on me."

"I don't know either," Prince Valor said and turned his glance away from me. "I don't know exactly what's happening. Not only if you will be honest about your identity, and I think everything will be fine."

"I see. You're believing in your mother's accusation about me. Not surprising anymore, since it's you who doubted me first. But if you'll be going to help me get out of here, your doubts about me will also go away."

"Don't worry, we'll be looking for the portal tonight, while everyone is busy sleeping."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

The prince nodded. "Just pray that everything will be fine. Even though I still have doubts, I don't want you to be punished by my mom."

"Why am I to be punished? What's your belief about using the invisible wings?" I asked him out of curiosity.

"All of the Nokunis, except for the three of us, are prohibited to use their wings while we are preparing for the war against Baspiritus. When using the invisible wings, it's also declining your strength and magical power. So to prevent them from using the wings, my mom and dad set a rule that whoever uses it, intentional or unintentional, will receive a punishment that he will carry for the rest of his life."

"And what punishment is that, to be specific?"

"They haven't announced it yet. Even I don't know about it, but I believe it's a big punishment. So, no one of the Nokunis, was daring to use their wings."

"But I ain't a Nokuni, I should be exempted for that."

"Right, but you must not say you are not one of us because that will be a tougher punishment for you."

"And so I have to leave as soon as possible to avoid being punished."

"Exactly. After you finish drinking your soup, we'll be heading already. Just remember to watch every step and move that you make because the men are still wandering for sure. They won't stop until they found us."

I finished up my soup in haste and when done, I held the prince's hands and told him that we could go already. I didn't mind his widened eyes and just continue pulling him even though he still had the soup with him.

We had wandered all places and every side of the area, but not again in the palace because they would see us there. Besides, the prince said that the portal wasn't there, it might be somewhere in the caves.

The cave was actually long, it almost had the width of the sea. Everywhere we go in the ocean, there was a cave, and we made sure that we did not miss one so we could not miss as well the portal.

We had roamed everywhere but time had just passed, yet we could not see the exit door. We looked at every side, but even though how much we tried, we could not find it.

"Don't you think that the portal is now back at the same spot where I was when I entered your place?" I asked the prince. "Perhaps it's there already because it isn't here."

The prince stopped walking and looked at me. "I'm sure it wasn't there anymore. I've read a history book about that door you are telling about, and I've learned it is mainly spotted in the palace or the cave. Since it isn't in the palace, it must be here. We just have to wander everywhere."

"Alright, as you say so..."

"The door is lighted green, right?"

I nodded. "Like an apple green."

"Great. Trust me we can easily find that now. I think we should separate ways for now." The prince took something from his pouch and it seemed to be a little wristwatch. "When you found it, just tap this button," he said as he pointed out the tiny button on its right side. "That will be a sign that you are calling for me already. And in this, I can easily find you, so don't remove it in your hands." He wore it in my left hand.

"Everything is noted," I said firmly.

"Good. Don't forget to observe your surroundings. The men might be still somewhere out of the cave. And don't make any noise, alright?"

I nodded.

"Also, you can use that tool to light your way. Just push the button on the left side and it will light. Got it?"

"Got it!" I said and gave him gratitude before we separated our ways.

With my heart beating rapidly, I started roaming around the caves. Though my feet were already hurting, I did not stop to look for the portal. I thought I had already gone everywhere I could go but I could not still find the door. But after some time, a little yellow light coming inside the portal caught my attention. I immediately followed it and just had an epiphany that it looked like the firefly that brought me in the green door.

I continued following the firefly even though I looked stupid with it. I just had this feeling that this would bring me to a place I was longing to see. After minutes of chasing it, it stopped, making me crease my brow.

"Why did you stop, little friend?" I mouthed. And when I turned my glance in the direction where it seemed to be looking at, I was speechless.

I slowly looked at the green light coming from my right side, which it was already the end of the cave. As I was going to it, a sweet smile was slowly touching my lip for I knew that it was the one I had been looking for.

With a glimmer playing in the corner of my eyes, I uttered, "Finally..."